Holly Cairns: We need a new vision for rural Ireland

We need to appreciate the complexity of rural Ireland and empower local communities if we truly want regional development, writes Holly Cairns

Bantry General Hospital, Co Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane

Too often, political discussions and media coverage portray rural Ireland in simplistic terms. 

This is an unhelpful approach that rarely gets to the heart of the issues involved. In reality, rural areas are as diverse and complex as cities.